These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. (Jn 11:19-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072922.cfm
The home at Bethany was dear to the heart of Jesus. Martha, Mary and Lazarus were the Lord’s closest friends. And so the sisters send word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is ill.” Perhaps, it is Lazarus who is the Beloved Disciple. The Good News is that we are all invited into friendship with Jesus, to be the Beloved Disciple. The home at Bethany is our home.
Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. (Jer 18:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072822.cfm
The Potter’s House is a beautiful image of God’s patient, merciful love, forming and re-forming. So we are the clay in God’s hands.
Jesus said to his disciples: Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." (Mt 13:44-46)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072722.cfm
The Pearl of Great Price is a very short parable that is exceedingly difficult to understand. If the merchant sells “all that he has” in order to buy that valuable pearl . . . where will he live or how will he eat? In his desire to possess the pearl the merchant loses all reason. And as Jeremiah, the prophet, says to the Lord: “You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook.”
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 79)
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072622.cfm
The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is always close to the feast of the parents of the Virgin Mary. Although their names come to us only from early Christian legends, the truth is that the Lord did have grandparents. And that’s a comforting thought. And so, we give thanks and continue to declare God’s praise through all generations.
Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20:20-28)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072522.cfm
To serve and not be served is the hallmark of Christian ministry according to Jesus. Maybe one day as a church we will learn the lesson Jesus teaches. As the song says, Poder es servir, porque Dios es Amor (Power is to serve, because God is Love.)
